Willmar public works staff on Monday removed sidewalk panels and conducted exploratory digging in front of the building at 309 Benson Avenue Southwest to explore the cause of the stormwater issues at that location.
The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission, at its Monday, March 11, meeting, felt that it was in the community’s best interest that WMU brought up its concerns regarding the proposed senior housing development by Cura.
The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission has approved moving forward with self-funding of the completion of the Northeast Water Treatment Plant, and also for the expansion of transmission infrastructure for the CapX2020 Brookings transmission line.
Although PFAS chemicals have been detected in Willmar's well water, the levels are currently well below those considered dangerous. Not joining the lawsuit today leaves the option open for future litigation should levels become dangerous.
General Manager John Harren said if Willmar Municipal Utilities had to rely on outside resources to keep the turbines running, it is likely they would no longer be functioning. Willmar Municipal Utilities is consistently monitoring the cost of power generated by the turbines, which is currently around 16 to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour. A major contributing factor regarding when to discontinue the use of the turbines is when the power generated by them begins to cost more than buying power from the Missouri River Energy Services.